Alappuzha, November 10: The 2018 Kerala Nehru Trophy Boat Race has begun in the beautiful backwaters of Alappuzha. 81 boats including 25 snake boats will participate in Vembanad lake today. The event not only attracts Indians, but tourists from across the globe. This year, South Indian superstar Allu Arjun and his wife Sneha Reddy have been invited as Chief Guests. The race was inaugurated by Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam.

Union Minister for Tourism P Sathasivam has been invited as the guest of honour. The final round began at 2:30 pm and end at 5:30 pm. The highly popular football club team - Kerala Blasters - has also been issued an invite. The tournament forms part of Kerala's prestigious watersports culture. Despite the unprecedented damage in the floods, the participation in this year's boat race will be the highest ever since 1952.